If you’re like me, you’ve probably been making the same New Year’s resolutions year after year. Each January, we vow to lose weight, make more money, find true love or be a kinder person. Back in 1988, a study tracked 200 people with their New Year’s resolutions. Within a month, 55 percent had abandoned them. At the end of two years, only 19 percent had kept their promises.
Why is it so difficult to follow through on our resolutions? Perhaps we bite off more than we can chew. Or, we fail to consider just how much grit it takes to wake up an hour earlier and go for that morning run – or to set aside our cherished Netflix time each evening to work on that book. Or maybe there’s a little gremlin inside us who’s determined to sabotage our efforts, especially if we’re not completely in alignment with what we’ve resolved to do.
But Saturn is on our side this year. The planet of determination and accomplishment is newly in his own sign of Capricorn – where he’s very high-functioning. And, we’re approaching an extra-potent New Year’s Day that features an illuminating Full Moon in Cancer-Capricorn. Then mover-and-shaker Uranus turns direct the next morning after five months in retrograde, leaving ZERO planets in backward motion through February! Things we set in motion now stand a good chance of gaining traction.
This Cancer Full Moon (Jan. 1, 6:24 p.m. PST) could be rather emotional, especially if someone (even you) is trying to quash your feelings. Four planets in no-nonsense Capricorn opposing the Moon can feel like that. Be gentle with yourself and others now. If you do intend to make resolutions, choose ones that you know are doable, and be patient with their progress. Taskmaster Saturn is in ambitious Capricorn for three years, providing needed stamina.
Or perhaps you’d like to join me for a different kind of New Year’s ritual. I’m not sure who originally thought up these questions, but answering them seems like an excellent way to start 2018 off right. You can write the answers down on your own, or share and discuss them in a small group setting. Happy New Year!
THE YEAR PAST:
- What went well?
- How did you grow this past year?
- What were your peak moments, and why?
- What’s not working?
- Wrap up your year by giving it a theme: “2017 was the year of _____.”
THE YEAR AHEAD:
- What do you want more of?
- What action steps will you take?
- What kind of person do you want to be?
- Who will you connect more with?
- What’s your mantra (or word) for 2018?
It’s strange but I never look ahead or behind. I’m just in the now. I did have an abundant year. During Marcia’s recovery from should surgery I became happier and seemed we became closer.
What is not working is everything we’re doing for Piper. Stuck in the mud with it.
I want healing for Piper in 2018. Towanda!
The best of everything for you, Simone, in 2018!
Same to you, Diane! And yes here’s to healing in 2018 for Piper…
I’m realistic with ‘resolution’s, in that i create an outline of what I’d like to get better at. Over time I fine tune it, as I get it’s truly all a process rather than a destination. This year I’m going to try just using a few words as my outline, seems it would be easy to be more mindful of what I’d like to improve on. So far I have Finish and Focus, in a flowing way. I’ll keep it to these 2 and maybe add one more, want to keep it easy and kind to myself:)
Sounds like you’ve got it down to a science, Monica!
So that’s my birth sign – cancer & my birth date 6/24 – I’m going to take that as an auspicious start to 2018!
Sounds that way to me, Mel!
Very helpful message Simone, thank you!
You are so welcome, Sarah Anne!